Internal-combustion pump.



Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

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Inventor ditto/weg C. A. CLARK.

INTERNAL coMBusnoN PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED DEAC. 7, l9l5.

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Inventor CLAUDE A. CLARK, on sYnAcUsn, new YORK,

ASSIGNOR T0 HUMPHREY GAS PUMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PUMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 7, 1915.

To all Afr0/wm, t may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDEA. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Pumps, oit' whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in internal combustion pumps. The object is to provide improved means for introducing the charge into a two-stroke cycle pump and keeping the several ingredients, such as gas and air, forming the combustible mixture, separate until the same are delivered to the underside of a movable diaphragm which is adapted to lie against'theV head of the eX- pansion chamber.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate merely by way of example, a suitable embodiment of my invention- Figure 1 is a vertical section showing my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a top planview.

Fig, 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. a is a horizontal section on line l-t of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the movable diaphragm and associated parts.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on anenlarged scale showing the diaphragm 8 in the lower position. i

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional details on enlarged scale showing the valve member 32 in the closedand open positions respectively.

Similar numerals ret'er to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Fig. 1, represents the expansion chamber which is adapted to connect at its lower end with a pla] pipe, not shown, in which a column of liquid is adapted to reciprocate. A. diaphragm 8 is iitted with an easy or movable fit in the expansion chamber or cylinder 7, and is adapted to have a verticalV reciprocating movement therein. this diaphragm 8 are fitted the concentric tubes 9 and 10, which are secured at their upper ends to the annular plate or cap 11, and are held in position between `said diaphragm 8 and cap 11 by the tie bolts 12. Fitted to the top .of expansion chamber or cylinder 7 is'thehead 13. In this head 13 the tube 10 L ,movable f t, which tit Iis Patented Oct. 29, 1918. serial no. 65,526.

made substantially air-tight by means of the gasket or packing 14.

Mounted on a suitable framework 15 extending from the top of the head 13, is the cap 16 bolted to said framework. This cap 16 is provided with a downwardly eXtend ing nozzle 17 into which is threaded the upper end of pipe 18. This nozzle 17 is in communication with a source of gas supply, by means of a suitable conductor not shown. The pipe 18 extends downwardly and supports at its lower end the annular body 19 into which it is threaded, which annular body 19 forms a. part of, or coperates with the head 13 of said cylinder 7. Body 19 is' provided with the annular packing or gasket 20 which forms a movable gas-tight iit with the inner surface of the inner tube 9.

The annular body 19 is provided with the port 21 between the bore of the pipe 18 and the chamber 22. In chamber 22 is provided the valve 23 delivering to the space above the diaphragm 8, and within the tube 9, when the diaphragm descends in chamber 7.

Arranged around the head 13 near its periphery are three valves 24 adapted to deliver into the air space surrounding tube 10 above the diaphragm, in the expansion chamber 7 when the diaphragm 8 descends. Valve 23 and valve 24 are substantially similar in construction. Jair gates 25 are also provided in the peripheral walls of the head 13 for admitting air into the annular space 26 above the valves 24.

Gras is conducted through pipe 18 and port 21 to chamber 22 above valve 23. It will be understood that pipe 18 is to be connected with a suitable gas supply, not shown.

A. supplemental gas intake pipe 27 is also provided for introducing gas, when required, past valve 29, into the air space surrounding tube 10, in chamber 7 above diaphragm 8. when said diaphragm descends. This supplemental gas pipe is controlled by the cock 28. A; supplemental air intake valve controlled pipe30 is connected with the gas pipe 18 for introducing air with said gas, when required.

The diaphragm 8 is provided with channels 31, leading from the gas space within tube 9. These channels are controlled by a valve member 32 normally held closed by springs 33. The diaphragm 8 is also provided with thechannels 34 leading from the air space v,surrounding tube 10 above the diaposition shown in Fig. 6,

phragm 8. These channels are similarly controlled by a spring valve 85.

le buffer 3G is provided for engaging the cap 11 for cushioning the downward movement of the plunger tubes 9 and 10.

A spark plug 37 is provided in the wall of chamber 7 for igniting the charge. The current to this plug is controlled by the mechanism indicated at 3S which is actuated by the cap 11, at about the end of its upward stroke,

rlhe operation is as follows:-Assuming, at the beginning oit' the cycle, that the diaphragm 8 is upiagainst the head 13 as shown in Fig. 1, and --a combustible mixture is belou1 the diaphragm vand under compression; the explosive mixture is ignited by means of the spark plug 37, or other suitable device, and the expanding gas forces the water down in the play ape until the expanded gas has reached approximately atmospheric pressure. At this point the exhaust valves 39 are forced open by their springs 40, and the diaphragm S drops to approximately the A due to its weight, and if the pressure falls a little below atmospheric, the diaphragm will be tui-ther accelerated, due to the vacuum on the underside thereof caused by the momentum oli the outwardly moving water column, and to the differential. area of the plunger.

The dropping of the diaphragm 8, pushes the burnt gases down through the exhaust valves 39, at the same time drawing in gas through valve E23, and air through valves 2v-l. Then the diaphragm falls to a point just above the exhaust valves 39, it will be brought to rest by the cap 11 dropping onto the butler 36 and will remain there with the gas and air above it, kept separate from each other and from the exhaust gases below it, until the return .stroke oi' the water column in the play pipe.

The water rising in the play pipe, forces the remaining exhaust gases out through the exhaust valves `39, until the water reaches said exhaust valve and thereby forcing `them shut. The water reaches the diaphragm 8 practically at the same time it reaches the exhaust valves and starts the diaphragm upward, compressing the and air above it. A s the pressure per square inch below the diaphragm tothat above the diaphragm, on account ot' the openings through the diaphragm which are closed merely by the check valves 32 and opening downwardl` there will be a tendency for the diaphragm to travel faster than the water, owing to the difference of area caused by the thickness of walls of the plunger, or in the presentcase, the diilference between the outside circumference of-tube 10 and the inner circumference of tube 9, so that the air and gas will pass through channels `31 and 34:, past the valves 32 and 35 from vrlbove the diaphragm lto beneath the must be equal diaphragm. The diaphragm will finally come to rest, against the head 123, 'n Fig. 1, with the air and gas all below it, which air and gas will have become mixed, as the valve guards 41 and l2 direct the streams of air and gas together, when coming through the diaphragm, so that we will be backto the original point, the diaphragm against theicylinder head and a combustible mixture compressed below it, when the cycle continues.

It will thus be seen that with the diaphragm 8 in the lower position as shown in -Fig. G, the gas contained within the tube 9 is separated trom the air surrounding tube 10, within the combustion chamber 7, until the burnt products have been expelled from below the diaphragm 8; that as the diaphragm moves upwardly toward the position shown in Fig. 1, the air and gas are transferred to beneath the diaphragm thereby forming together an explosive or combustible mixture for the beginning ol the next. `cycle ras explained.

It is desirable to design the pump so that i the ratio o'l gas space to air space above the diaphragm, shall be approximately the ratio of gas to air which provides an explosive mixture. It the gas space is slightly less than this proportion, the mixture can be enriched by opening the cock 28, and letting a small amount of gas into the air space, surrounding tube 10, which will mix with air before the air is transferred through the diaphragm 8. So long as thisgas is not suilicient to produce an explosive mixture, there is no objection to this method of regulation. On the other hand it the mixture is inclined to be too rich, a little air maybe introduced through valve-controlled pipe 30, with the gas entering the gas space through pipe 1S. These two valves regulate the mixture.

lVhat ,l claim is l., In `the method of reciprocating a liquid column by the expansion of a combustible charge against said column t e following steps introducing into the expansion space the components of said combustible charge and maintaining the said components separated from each other while in said expansion space and also from the burnt products of a previous charge, until the expulsion from said expansion space of said burnt products and then mixing said components together under pressure and igniting the same. i

p ln the method ot reciprocating a liquid column by the expansion of a combinable charge against said column to cause the stroke, the following steps introducing the expansion space the coinponentset' said combustible charge upon the outstrolte oit' the liquid column, and maintaining the said components separated 'from each other while in said expansionspace and also from the burnt products of a previous charge, until the expulsion from said expansion space of said burnt products and then mixing said com onents together and iOnitinO' same. b o o 3. In the method of reciprocating a liquid column by theexpansion of a combustible charge against said column to cause the outstroke, the following steps introducing into the expansion space the components of said combustible charge and maintaining the said components separated from each other while in said expansion space and also from the burnt products Vof a previous charge.

t until the expulsion from said expansion space of said burnt products by the return stroke of the liquid column and then mixing said components together and igniting same.

el. In the method of reciprocating a liquid column by the expansion of a combustible charge aga-inst said colulnn the following steps introducinginto the expansion space the components of Said combustible charge and .maintaining the said components separated from each other while in said eXpansion space and also from the burnt products of a previous charge, until the expulsion from said expansion space of said burnt products and then mixing said components together under pressure of the return stroke of the liquid column and igniting the same.

In combination with means, including an expansion chamber and play pipe, for reciprocating a liquid column by the eXpansion of a combustible charge, a tube, a diaphra gm connected therewith having different pressure areas on its opposite sides, said tube and diaphragm adapted to reciprocate in the expansion chamber, as means for introducing gas and air into the expansion chamber separated one from the other by' the tube and diaphragm and from the products of combustion by said diaphragm and valved passages in said diaphragm for the transfer of said gas and air from above to beneath the diaphragm.

6. Inr combination with means, includingV an expansion chamber and play pipe for reciprocating a liquid column by the eXpansion of a combustible charge,` a tube having its inner wall spaced from its outer wall, a diaphragm connected therewith having dif` Vferent pressure areas on its opposite sides,

said tube and diaphragm adapted to reciprocate in the expansion chamber, as means for introducing gas and air into the eXpansion chamber separated one from the other by the tube and diaphragm and from the products of combustion by sa'd diaphragm and valved passages in saiddiaphragm for the transfer of said gas and air from above to beneath the diaphragm.

' 7. In combination with means, including an expansion chamber and play pipe for reciprocating a liquid column by the expansion of a combustible charge, a tube, a diaphragm connected therewith, the effective pressure area of its underside being greater transfer of said gas and air from above to beneath the diaphragm.

S. In combination with means, including an expansion chamber and play pipe for reciprocating a liquid column by the eXpansion of a combustible charge, a tube, a diaphragm connected therewith having different pressure areas on its opposite sides, said tube and diaphragm adapted to reciprocate in the expansion chamber, as means for introducing gas and air into the expansion chamber separated one from the other by the tube and diaphragm and from the products of combustion by said diaphragm and valved passages in said diaphragm for the transfer of said gas and air from above to beneath he diaphragm, and means for facilitating the mixture thereof.

9. In combination with means, including an expansion chamber and play pipe for reciprocating a liquid column by the expansion of a combustible charge, a tube, a diaphragm connected therewith, said plunger and diaphragm adapted to reciprocate in the expansion chamber, as means for introducing gas and air into the expansion chamber separated one from the other by the tube and diaphragm and'from the products of combustion by said diaphragm and valved passages in said diaphragm Jfor the transfer of said gas and air, the diaphragm having a less effective area above than beneath so that upon the return stroke of the liquid column the air and gas are transferred from above to beneath the diaphragm under pressure.

10. In combination with means, includingan expansion chamber and play pipe for reciprocating a liquid column by the expansion of Va combustible charge, a tube, a diaw phragm connected therewith having different pressure areas on its opposite sides, said tube and diaphragm adapted to reciprocate in the expansion chamber, as means for introducing gas andrair into the expansion chamber separated one from the other b v the tube and diaphragm and from the products of combustion by said diaphragm and valved passages in said diaphragm for the transfer of said gas and air from above to beneath the diaphragm, and an ignition device and a control therefor operated by the plunger.

l1. In an internal combustion pump, the

ldl:

combination of an expansion chamber or cylinder, a valve controlled exhaust port in the lower part thereof, a diaphragm movable in said cylinder, a hollow plunger element connected therewith, a valve controlled gas supply delivering into the cylinder within the hollow plunger element and above the diaphragm, a valve controlled air intake delivering into cylinder outside the hollow plunger element above the diaphragm when the diaphragm descends and valve controlled passages leading from the gas space and air space above the diaphragm for transferring the gas and air to the space beneath the diaphragm upon its ascent.

12. In an internal combustion pump, the combination of' an expansion chamber or cylinder, a valve controlled exhaust port in the lower part thereof, a diaphragm movable in said cylinder, a hollow plunger element connected therewith, having` substantial gas tight movable fit in head ot cylinder, a valve controlled gas supply delivering into the cylinder within the hollow plunger element and above the diaphragm, a valve controlled air intake deliveringl into cylinder outside the hollow plunger element. above the diaphragm when the diaphragm descends and valve controlled passages leading` from the gas space and air space above the diaphragm for transferring the gas and air to the space beneath the diaphragm upon its ascent.

13. ln an internal combustion pump, Vthe combination of an expansion chamber or cylinder, a valve controlled exhaust port in the lower part thereof, a diaphragm movable in said cylinder, a hollow plunger element connected therewith, said hollow plunger element having a substantially greater outer periphery than its inner periphery whereby the diaphragm has a .lesser eii'ective area above than beneath it, a valve controlled gas supply delivering into the cylinder within the hollow plunger element and above the diaphragm, a valve controlled air intake delivering into cylinder outside the hollow plunger element above the diaphragm when the diaph agm descends and valve controlled passages leading from the gas space and air space above the diaphragm for transferring the gas and air to the space beneath the diaphragm upon its ascent.

i 14.. Inra-n internal combustion pump, the combination of an expansion chamber or cylinder, a valve controlled exhaust port in the lower part thereof, a diaphragm movable in said cylinder, a hollow plunger element connected therewith, a valve controlled gas supply delivering into the cylinder within the hollow plunger element and above the diaphragm, a valve controlled air intake' lferring the gas and air to the space loe-V neath the diaphragm upon its ascent, a sparking device` in the cylinder and an `elecli'ic timing device` therefor operated by the plunger.

15. In 'an internal combustion pump, the combination oit an expansion chamber or cylinder, a valve controlled exhaust port in the lower part thereof, a diaphragm movable in said cylinder, a hollow plunger elein ent connected therewith, a valve controlled gas supply delivering into the cylinder' within the hollow `plunger element and above the diaphragm, a valve controlled air intake delivering into cylinder outside the hollow plunger element above the .diaphragm when the diaphragm descends and valve controlled passages leading from the gas space and air space above the diaphragm for transferring the gas and air to the space beneath the diaphragm upon its ascent. and means ior arbitrarily adding gas to the air space above the diaphragm.

1G. In an internal combustion pump, the combination of an expansion chamber or cylinder, a valve controlled exhaust port in the lower part thereof, a diaphragm movable .in saidcylinder, a hollow plunger element connected therewith, a valve controlled gas supply delivering into the cylinder within the hollow plunger element and above the diaiiihragm, a valve controlled air intake delivering into cylinder outside the hollow plunger element above the diaphragm when the diaphragm descends and valve con- `trol-led passages leading from the gas space and air space above the diaphragm for transiei-ring` the gas and air to the spa-ce beneath the diaphragm upon its ascent, and means for arbitrarily adding air to the gas space above the diaphragm.

CLAUDE ii.- onf-reif.

Witnesses Giro. lll. CALnnN, CHARLES C. TRUMP.V

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patente.

I Washington, 13.6. 

